Improving collegium system: public notice invites suggestions

The government today issued a public notice inviting suggestions from the common man on ways to improve the collegium system to appoint judges to the Supreme Court and the high courts.

The apex court had yesterday asked Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi to issue a public notice inviting representations and suggestions from all quarters of the public and web-host on the website of the Law Ministry by 1700 hours of November 13.

The bench which struck down a new law to replace the collegium system last month is now hearing ways to improve the collegium system. The over 20-year-old collegium system has been criticised for lack of transparency.

The apex court also accepted the view of Bar Council of India that the apex lawyers' body be allowed to hold a meeting with all state bar associations and advocates' bodies from across the nation for compilation of various suggestions.

The notice issued by the Department of Justice in the Law Ministry said the suggestions can be made in four categories -- transparency, collegium secretariat, eligibility criteria and complaints.

The Department of Justice has given a link on its website doj.gov.in on how to make suggestions.

"...He (Attorney General) may web-host the compilation and issue a public notice. Likewise, all those who desire to make suggestions may do so directly, on the website of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, New Delhi," the bench, comprising Justices J S Khehar, J Chelameswar, M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Goel, said while posting the matter for hearing on November 18 and 19.